Darling Downs and Clydesdales stars to feature in Women’s State of Origin series

In one of the most highly anticipated Women’s State of Origin series, Darling Downs rugby league fans will have plenty of players to watch from both teams, with Western Clydesdales and local players named in the Game One squads. See who is set to represent the region here.

Shenae Ciesiolka of the Maroons makes a break during game one of the 2023 Women's State of Origin series. Photo: Matt King/Getty Images.

The Women’s State of Origin will have a Darling Downs flavour to it with several local and Western Clydesdales stars set to make their mark on the biggest stage.

The Clydesdales will be represented by both states at Suncorp Stadium on May 16, with Kezie Apps and Keeley Davis set to line up for New South Wales while Shenae Ciesiolka and Ali Brigginshaw will don the maroon colours once again.

Along with the senior talents, young guns Mackenzie Zeller and former Toowoomba junior Mariah Browne, have also been named in the extended under-19 Emerging Maroons squad which will take on New South Wales next month.

Western Clydesdales women’s coach Mitch Sargent was proud to see his players earn call-ups to their respective states.

“Individual accolades come from team performances and that’s what I’m so proud of,” he said.

“Those girls who have got those opportunities, they’ve been really happy with how’ve they’ve played and this team has got them there and that’s the best thing about sports.

“It’s a team sport and your teammates help you get there.

Kezie Apps and Keeley Davis at NSW women's State of Origin training. Picture: Toby Zerna

“We wish those girls all the very best and I know they will do our club very proud when they go onto play State of Origin.”

Another Darling Downs player will also fly the flag for the region in the women’s clash.

Former Scots PGC student Emily Bass has been named in the Queensland squad.

Bass, who has played NRLW for Brisbane and the Gold Coast, is no stranger to the Origin arena, having played alongside Ciesiolka and Brigginshaw in last year’s series.

Ciesiolka and Bass were immense in the 2023 Origin series with the former named Player of the Match in game one and the latter scored a key try in that clash, where the Maroons won 18-10.